The Open University of the Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, headquartered at the Gusaling Don Pepe Atienza at Intramuros, Manila, has operated a continuing education program for working adults and professionals in its several partner institutions and agencies in and out of the country. It is designed to provide higher education and improved qualifications to individuals who are unable to take advantage of traditional modes of education because of personal and professional responsibilities. It offers a number of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programs.

The Open University was established in 2002. For its first curricular offering, PLM, in coordination of the Integrated Midwifery Association of the Philippines (IMAP) and its regional centers nationwide, pioneered the Bachelor of Science in Community Health Service (BSCHS), which aims to upgrade the standards and quality of services of those individuals who are engaged in paramedical fields such as Midwifery. Working with the Quality University Education for Social Transformation (QUEST), a non-government educational foundation, PLM and the Trinity University of Asia in Quezon City have already graduated some 6,000 midwives nationwide.^[1][2]

The re-organization in the University paved the way for the establishment of the Division of Community Health Services (DCHS), a component of the Open University. Originally offering only the BCHS Program, the DCHS expanded its offerings to include the Master of Community Health Service (MCHS) in 2001.

In 2002, PLM, by virtue of its University Charter, has installed its General Education Curriculum (GEC) for the first two years of college education at the Second Philippine International School (SPIS), an all-Filipino educational institution for Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.^[3] This curriculum, permitted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Ministry of Education, allows the student to pursue, in later years, courses in any discipline at PLM or in any institution for higher learning in the Philippines. Visiting assignments of PLM professors are part of the agreement between the partner schools.^[4]

Two years later, off-campus connections were established with Asia Pacific College of Advanced Studies, Southville International School and Colleges Southville International School and Colleges, and World CITI Colleges.

In 2004, Mayor Feliciano Belmonte, Jr. of Quezon City signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Open University that allows undergraduate city and barangay (village) employees to get a college degree. To qualify, City Hall applicants should have served the local government for at least two years. On the other hand, barangay employees, whether elected or appointed, must be at least high school graduates. Apart from city employees and officials, Quezon City residents are also eligible to apply under the program. Open to them are courses in business management and entrepreneurship.

The Open University offers different degree programs in a variety of areas. These include:

Undergraduate programs

• Associate in Government Management
• Bachelor of Public Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Community Health Service
• Bachelor of Science in Midwifery

Postgraduate programs

• Master of Arts in Business Administration
• Master in Community Health Service
• Master of Arts in Government Managament
• Master of Arts in Nursing